Carragher calls for Man City to be stripped of titles; Richards calls verdict 'devastating'

Manchester City have received the most serious verdict in Premier League history after being found guilty of breaching financial rules over several seasons. An independent commission determined the club ran a scheme worth nearly £1 billion to inflate revenues or reduce costs through a series of sham arrangements. Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool defender, immediately called for the Premier League to strip City of all titles won during the period of breaches. Manchester City are eight-time Premier League champions, most recently in 2026/24, but the verdict now casts doubt over those achievements. The independent commission said City used sham contracts to hide funding sources and distort financial figures, allowing the club to avoid Premier League and UEFA financial rules. It is one of the largest financial fraud cases in English football history. City remain defiant. The club immediately announced plans to appeal and rejected the commission's conclusions. If the appeal fails, City could face severe sanctions ranging from points deductions and transfer restrictions to the stripping of titles and even expulsion from the Premier League. UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has warned that expulsion is not impossible. In the past, City were investigated by UEFA and later had a Champions League ban overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. At the time, many believed the club could always escape financial punishment. But this verdict was issued by an independent commission appointed by the Premier League, not UEFA, and carries different legal weight. With Carragher speaking out, the wave of criticism is likely to intensify in the coming weeks. Carragher expressed sympathy for City's current and former players. He believes their careers will carry an asterisk. 'I feel for the players... they'll almost feel like a lot of their career is going to have an asterisk, or a lot of people will be calling it a sham,' the former Liverpool centre-back told Sky Sports News. He also attacked City's leadership for putting players in an impossible position. 'The players were told everything was fine, they would never get done for anything. What the hierarchy are coming out with now, they're just gaslighting.' Carragher insists the titles should be removed from City's list. He admits giving them to other clubs is complicated, but City have hurt more than just their own players. 'I don't look at it years later, but my mind goes back to moments and feelings in my stomach. Those players will never get that feeling and it was robbed by Man City. Giving trophies or medals back, it doesn't mean anything. It's not about medals, it's about feelings.' Looking at City's rise, fans remember the 2026 title drama, the battles against Liverpool between 2026 and 2026, and the treble of 2026/23. All of those moments are now under a huge shadow. City's next match is away to Liverpool on October 11. Carragher believes Liverpool are the biggest losers in this story and expects an electric atmosphere. 'Liverpool are probably the biggest losers in all this. The atmosphere will be electric. In the last five years, Liverpool vs. Manchester City has been the game of the Premier League.' Micah Richards, a former City defender who joined the club at 14, appeared on The Rest Is Football podcast and struggled to hide his emotions. He said he felt devastated reading the findings. 'I've been at that club since I was 14 years old, I would die for that club. I achieved my dream at Manchester City, but then to hear these reports, and not only me as an ex-player, but the fans, what they have to go through, absolutely devastating.' Richards told the story of the digs man he lived with as a young player. The man called him in tears asking for information. 'I don't know, I haven't got the answers to tell him. And that's someone who's supported the club for 60-odd years, and the uncertainty around it is just heartbreaking.' Richards feels sad, angry and confused because City also have a side of the story. 'There are no winners in this,' Richards added. 'If Man City do the appeal and they get off, it's still going to be tarnished. And, if they're found guilty after the appeal, what happens then? It's not just Man City fans or Man City players, it's the whole of the Premier League comes into question.' The game between Liverpool and Manchester City on October 11 is no longer only about three points. It has become the focus of a turbulent season. City players will step onto the pitch under unprecedented pressure, while Liverpool supporters have reason to feel that justice is arriving late but arriving. City have the right to appeal, but the biggest question now is whether faith in the trophies they celebrated can ever be restored. This story does not end with the independent commission's verdict. It is only beginning at the appeal stage, and the consequences could spread into transfers, sponsorship deals and the way football governs its finances. Carragher, Richards and Lisa Nandy are just the first voices. The rest of English football is waiting for a clearer explanation from Manchester City, and a decisive answer from the sports justice system.